Flexible steel or metal measuring-tape.



No. 881,826. PATENTED MAR. 10, 1908,

H. J, RABONE. FLEXIBLE STEEL 0R METAL MEASURING TAPE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2, 1907.

Fay/Q a a HARRY JOSEPH RABONE, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

FLEXIBLE STEEL OR METAL MEASURING-TAPE.

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 10, 1908.

Application filed July 2, I907. Serial No. 381,890.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, HARRY JOSEPH RA- BONE, a subject of the King of Great Britain,

residing at Hockley Abbey Works, Whitmore street, Birmingham, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flexible Steel or Metal Measuring- 'lapes, of which the following is a specificat1on.

My invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in flexible steel or metal measuring tapes principally used in areproduced in relief by the etchin of the ground, the numerals, marks or ivisions being bright on a dull or matte surface. In order to enable the user to readily read off the main divisions of the ordinary tape measure such as feet, yards, meters and other main divisions, they havebeen usually marked in. a larger orsmaller type than the sub or minor divisions such as inches, centimeters and the like, and this difference in type is the only distinction between the main and sub-divisions. In other kinds of tape measures the Whole of the divisions of the same flexible tape measure the two types of figures and marks hereinbefore referred to; that is to say, I etch in the flexible tape measure the main divisions such as feet, yards, meters and other main divisions and produce the said sunken 'or etched main divisions on plain or bright tablets, the said plain orbright tablets and the sub or minor divisions such as inches, decimals or other minor divisions being produced by etching the main part of the tape measure which leaves the said tablets and sub or minor divisions and their figures bright and in relief on a dull or matte surface;

In order that the said invention may be the better understood I have represented in Figure 1 of the-accompanying drawing an elevation of portions of an ordinary flexible steel tape measure and in Figs. 2 and 3 I have represented in elevation and longitudinal section respectively a part of the said measure drawn to a larger scale than Fig. 1, the raised parts in Fig 3 being exaggerated. In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 I have represented similar views of a flexiblesteel tape measure provided with the improvements constituting my invention, and in Fig. 7 I have represented a modification of my improved flexible steel tape measure.

By an examination of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it will be seen that all the figures and letters marked a of the main and sub-divisions as Well as the lines marked 1) of the said main and sub-divisions are produced in relief by the etching of the round marked a, the said figures, letters and lines or divisions being bright on a dull or matte surface. As a consequence it will be noted, especially by reference to Fig. 2 that there is but little difference between the figures of the main divisions and the figures of the sub divisions and the reading of the tape measure is attended at times with considerable difficulty.

By an examination of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 it will be seen that I have combined the well known form of marking flexible steel measuring tapes described and illustrated with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 with another Well known alternative form so as-therebyto obtain say the figures and letters a and lines or divisions b' of the sub-divisions bright and in relief on a dull or matte round 0 as in the ordinary tape measure ereinbefore described and illustrated and the figures and letters A and portions of the lines or divisions of the mam divisions dull and sunken in bri ht and raised tablets d.

I f thou ht necessary or desirable for the urpose 0 better distinguishing the figures, etters and lines of the main divisions the sunken ures, letters and lines on each bright an raised tablet (1 may be filled with a colored enamel or other colorin matter. Althou I haverepresented t e res a and linesIi of the sub-divisions in relief and the figures, letters and linesof the main divisions in intaglio yet I Wish it to be understood that the said arrangement may be reversed if desired. p

I do not limit myself to the shape of the bright and raised tablets (1 represented in- Fig. 7.

By the combination of types of main and sub-divisions in the tape measure hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, its use is facilitated as the main divisions are very readily read off and the wearing of the tape measure does not affect, or afiects only to a slight extent, the legibility of the sunken figures, letters and lines or division marks inclosed by the plain or bright tablets.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

1. A flexible steel measuring tape having tervals throughout-the length and ormed as a part of the tape and provided with lines or division marks and figures or letters indicat mg the main divisions to distinguish the said main divisions from the marks, figures, and

lines of the subdivisions, the tablets being of i such thickness as to permit the tape to be regularly coiled.

2. A flexible steel measurin tape having in the main a dead surface an lines or division marks and figures of the subdivisions in relief, and raised tablets disposed at intervals throughout the length and formed as a part of the tape structure and having bright surfaces and provided with lines or division marks and figures or letters of the main divisions to distinguish the said main divisions from the lines or division marks and figures of the subdivisions, the tablets being of such thickness as to permit the regular coiling of the tape.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY JOSEPH RABON E.

Witnesses:

RICHARD SKERRETT, ARTHUR JOHN PowELL. 

